Lascelles Keeping Calm On Magpies Start

Gold Usenekong

6 months ago

Jamaal Lascelles doesn’t feel Newcastle are in trouble already this season despite a stuttering start and a tough run of fixtures. After a frustrating summer in which boss Rafael Benitez was given minimal funds to spend on strengthening the squad, the Toon have collected just one point from their first two matches.

A home defeat to Tottenham and a goalless draw at Cardiff are all the Tyneside outfit have to show for their efforts so far, although in both games it could have been much better for the Magpies had they taken their chances.

Kenedy missed a last-minute penalty at Cardiff on Saturday, and with Newcastle’s next three fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, questions have been asked as to when the team’s first win is going to arrive.

Injuries and suspension are already beginning to bite as well with Javier Manquillo and DeAndre Yedlin doubtful for the clash with Chelsea at the weekend, while Isaac Hayden starts a three-match ban.

Lascelles is refusing to panic though and believes they have enough strength in depth to cope during a testing run of games.

“I wouldn’t say this is a difficult period at all,” he said. “We’ve got a couple of players who have suffered little knocks and, at the weekend, we had to deal with a red card, but as a team I think we got through that okay.

“We’ll get through these next few games. We’ve got a big squad and good players in every area. There’s no need to panic. We’ll just stay calm and train hard, and whatever team the gaffer decides to go for, it will be a good one. We’ll go again.”